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Transplantation and replantation of teeth are effective therapeutic approaches for tooth repositioning and avulsion, respectively. Transplantation involves transplanting an extracted tooth from the original site into another site, regenerating tissue including the periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone, around the transplanted tooth. Replantation places the avulsed tooth back to its original site, regenerating functional periodontal tissue. In clinical settings, transplantation and replantation result in favorable outcomes with regenerated PDL tissue in many cases. However, they often result in poor outcomes with two major complications: tooth ankylosis and root resorption. In tooth ankylosis, the root surface and alveolar bone are fused, reducing the PDL tissue between them. The root is subjected to remodeling processes and is partially replaced by bone. In severe cases, the resorbed root is completely replaced by bone tissue, which is called as "replacement resorption." Resorption is sometimes accompanied by infection-mediated inflammation. The molecular mechanisms of ankylosis and root resorption remain unclear, although some signaling mechanisms have been proposed. In this mini-review, we summarized the biological basis of repair mechanisms of tissues in transplantation and replantation and the pathogenesis of their healing failure. We also discussed possible therapeutic interventions to improve treatment success rates.

Profilin-1 (Pfn1), an evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein, is an important regulator of the cytoskeleton. We previously reported the osteoclast-specific Pfn1-conditional knockout (cKO) mice had postnatal osteolytic phenotype with craniofacial and long-bone deformities associated with increased migration of cultured osteoclasts. We hypothesized the increased cellular processes structured with branched actin filaments may underlies the mechanism of increased bone resorption in these mutant mice.The morphological structure and cell migration of the cultured osteoclasts were analyzed using fluorescent microscopy and time-lapse image capturing. Fractional migration distances, as well as the index of protrusive structures (%-PB) that evaluates relative border length of the protrusion were compared between the cells from control and Pfn1-cKO mice.Time-lapse image analysis showed that %-PB was significantly larger in Pfn1-cKO osteoclasts. In addition, the fractional migration distance was positively correlated with the index. When the branched actin filament organization was suppressed by chemical inhibitors, the osteoclast migration was declined. Importantly, the suppression was more extensive in Pfn1-cKO than in control osteoclasts.Our results indicated the causative involvement of the increased branched actin filament formation at least in part for their excessive migration. Our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for testing novel therapeutic approaches targeting branched actin filaments in osteolytic disorders.

Tooth ankylosis is a pathological condition of periodontal ligament (PDL) restoration after tooth replantation. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been proposed as a promising factor for preventing tooth ankylosis. Using rat tooth replantation model, we investigated whether PDGF-BB accelerates the repair of PDL after tooth replantation without ankylosis, and its molecular mechanisms. In PDGF-BB pretreated replanted teeth (PDGF-BB group), ankylosis was markedly reduced and functionally organized PDL collagen fibers were restored; the mechanical strength of the healing PDL was restored to an average of 76% of that in non-replanted normal teeth at 21 days. The numbers of PDGF-Rβ- and BrdU-positive cells in the periodontal tissues of the PDGF-BB group were greater than those of atelocollagen pretreated replanted teeth (AC group). Moreover, in the PDGF-BB group, the periodontal tissues had fewer osteocalcin-positive cells and decreased number of nuclear β-catenin-positive cells compared to those in the AC group. In vitro analyses showed that PDGF-BB increased the proliferation and migration of human periodontal fibroblasts. PDGF-BB downregulated mRNA expressions of RUNX2 and ALP, and inhibited upregulatory effects of Wnt3a on β-catenin, AXIN2, RUNX2, COL1A1, and ALP mRNA expressions. These findings indicate that in tooth replantation, topical PDGF-BB treatment enhances cell proliferation and migration, and inhibits canonical Wnt signaling activation in bone-tooth ankylosis, leading to occlusal loading of the PDL tissues and subsequent functional restoration of the healing PDL. This suggests a possible clinical application of PDGF-BB to reduce ankylosis after tooth replantation and promote proper regeneration of PDL.

OBJECTIVE Masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia, which is associated with limited mouth opening, progresses very slowly from adolescence. The prevalence rates of this disease are higher among women than among men, suggesting oestrogen involvement. As parafunctional habits are frequently observed, mechanical stress is likely involved in the pathogenesis and advancement of this disease. To elucidate the pathological condition, we examined the effect of oestrogen on tenocyte function and the relationship between mechanical stress and crystallin beta A4 (Cryba4), using murine TT-D6 tenocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell proliferation assays, RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and mechanical loading experiments were performed. RESULTS The physiological dose of oestrogen increased the levels of scleraxis and tenomodulin in TT-D6 tenocytes. In contrast, forced expression of Cryba4 inhibited scleraxis expression in these cells. Surprisingly, oestrogen significantly promoted cell differentiation in the Cryba4-overexpressing TT-D6 tenocytes. Moreover, tensile force induced Cryba4 expression in these tendon cells. CONCLUSION Oestrogen and Cryba4 may be associated with the progression of masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia.

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of enthesis formation in mature animals. Here, we report that annexin A5 (Anxa5) plays a critical role in the regulation of bone ridge outgrowth at the entheses. We found that Anxa5 is highly expressed in the entheses of postnatal and adult mice. In Anxa5-deficient (Anxa5-/- ) mice, the sizes of bone ridge outgrowths at the entheses of the tibias and femur were increased after age 7 weeks. Bone overgrowth was not observed at the fibrous enthesis where the fibrocartilage layer does not exist. More ALP-expressing cells were observed in the fibrocartilage layer in Anxa5-/- mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Calcein and Alizarin Red double labeling revealed more mineralized areas in Anxa5-/- mice than WT mice. To examine the effects of mechanical forces, we performed tenotomy in which transmission of contractile forces by the tibial muscle was impaired by surgical muscle release. In tenotomized mice, bone overgrowth at the enthesis in Anxa5-/- mice was decreased to a level comparable to that in WT mice at 8 weeks after the operation. The tail-suspended mice also showed a decrease in bone overgrowth to similar levels in Anxa5-/- and WT mice at 8 weeks after hindlimb unloading. These results suggest that bone overgrowth at the enthesis requires mechanical forces. We further examined effects of Anxa5 gene knockdown (KD) in primary cultures of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and tenocytes in vitro. Anxa5 KD increased ALP expression in tenocytes and chondrocytes but not in osteoblasts, suggesting that increased ALP activity in the fibrocartilaginous tissue in Anxa5-/- mice is directly caused by Anxa5 deletion in tenocytes or fibrocartilage cells. These data indicate that Anxa5 prevents bone overgrowth at the enthesis, whose formation is mediated through mechanical forces and modulating expression of mineralization regulators. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The expression of cell lineage-specific genes during cell differentiation and development is regulated by lineage-specific transcription factors. Recent studies have revealed that epigenetic mechanisms, including post-translational modifications in histone proteins and DNA methylation, play important roles in cell lineage determination and further differentiation. Many different post-translational modifications of histone proteins have been identified to date. For example, modifications at the N-terminal ninth lysine residue of histone H3 (H3K9) are associated with the level of gene expression and local chromatin structure. H3K9 is known to have un-, mono-, di-, and trimethylation states, and these methylated states are determined by six H3K9 methyltransferases in mammals. Among these H3K9 methyltransferases, G9a is responsible for mono- and dimethylation of H3K9. G9a-null mice showed embryonic lethality, indicating its critical roles in cell differentiation, organogenesis, and development. Indeed, studies of G9a conditional deletion in vivo and G9a-deficient cells in vitro have suggested that G9a is a multifunctional protein in various cell types. This short review summarizes recent findings regarding the effects of G9a function on the development of mesenchymal tissues, such as muscle, adipose, and skeletal tissues.

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent diseases and the number of patients suffering from this disease is soaring due to the increase in the aged population in the world. The severity of bone loss in osteoporosis is based on the levels of impairment in the balance between bone formation and bone resorption, two arms of the bone metabolism, and bone remodeling. However, determination of bone formation levels is under many layers of control that are as yet fully defined. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays a key role in regulation of bone formation while its downstream targets are still incompletely understood. Lgr4 gene encodes an orphan receptor and has been identified as a genetic determinant for bone mass in osteoporotic patients. Here, we examine the effects of BMP on the expression of Lgr4 in osteoblastic cells. Lgr4 gene is expressed in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1 in a time dependent manner during the culture. BMP treatment enhances Lgr4 mRNA expression at least in part via transcriptional event. When Lgr4 mRNA is knocked down, the levels of BMP-induced increase in alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity and Alp mRNA are suppressed. BMP enhancement of Lgr4 gene expression is suppressed by FGF and reversed by dexamethasone. BMP also enhances Lgr4 expression in primary cultures of calvarial osteoblasts. These data indicate that Lgr4 gene is regulated by BMP and is required for BMP effects on osteoblastic differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 887-895, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of enthesis formation in mature animals. Here, we report that annexin A5 (Anxa5) plays a critical role in the regulation of bone ridge outgrowth at the entheses. We found that Anxa5 is highly expressed in the entheses of postnatal and adult mice. In Anxa5-deficient (Anxa5

Periodontal ligament cells have the potential to differentiate into bone forming osteoblasts and thus represent a good cellular candidate for bone regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhibition of histone deacetylases, using the inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA), on bone regeneration by human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in a mouse calvaria bone defect. Methods: RUNX2 protein and its acetylation was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and western blotting. The effect of TSA on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs was investigated using in vitro 3D cultures. hPDLCs were pre-incubated with and without TSA and implanted in mouse calvaria defects with polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) co-polymer scaffold. Micro-CT scanning and bone histomorphometric analysis were used to quantify the amount of bone. Survival of hPDLCs as xenogenic grafts was verified by immunohistochemistry with anti-human β1-integrin. The immunological response of mice against hPDLCs xenografts was evaluated by measuring total IgG and hPDLCs-specific IgG.Results: Beside affecting histone protein, TSA also induced hyper-acetylation of RUNX2 which might be a crucial mechanism for enhancing osteogenesis by hPDLCs. TSA enhanced mineral deposition by hPDLCs in in vitro 3D cultures and had no effect on cell viability. In vivo bone regeneration of mouse calvaria defects was significantly enhanced by TSA pre-treated hPDLCs. By using anti-human ß1 integrin hPDLCs were shown to differentiate into osteocyte-like cells that were present in newly formed bone. hPDLCs, as a xenograft, slightly but not significantly induced an immunological response in recipient mice as demonstrated by the level of total IgG and hPDLCs-specific IgG. Conclusion: Inhibition of histone deacetylases by TSA enhanced in vivo bone regeneration by hPDLCs. The data strongly suggest a novel approach to regenerate bone tissue.

Development of regenerative therapies for damaged tendons remains a great challenge, largely because of lack of information regarding the mechanisms responsible for differentiation of tenocytes. Mouse tenocytes have not been fully characterized owing to the absence of efficient and reproducible methods for their in vitro expansion without losing phenotypic features. The objective of the study was to establish an improved and reliable method for stable primary culture of mouse tenocytes by using collagen gel. Achilles and tail tendon tissues were harvested and embedded in collagen gel. After 10 days of continuous culture, the gel was digested and cells were passaged on tissue culture-treated plastic dishes. Mouse tenocytes cultured in collagen gel exhibited significantly shorter doubling time and higher numbers of proliferation when maintained on the plastic dishes compared with those cultured without using gel. Transmission electron microscopic analyses showed that cultured tenocytes retained some morphological features of tenocytes in tendon tissues, such as cell-cell junctional complex formation, well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria in their cytoplasm. mRNA expression of tenocyte markers (tenomodulin, type I collagen, periostin, and scleraxis) was higher in cells cultured in collagen gel than in those cultured in the absence of gel. Our results show that tenocytes cultured using the collagen gel method express typical lineage markers and exhibit improved growth characteristics, thus providing a stable platform for studying molecular mechanisms that control their differentiation.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a major class of antiresorptive drug, and their molecular mechanisms of antiresorptive action have been extensively studied. Recent studies have suggested that BPs target bone-forming cells as well as bone-resorbing cells. We previously demonstrated that local application of a nitrogen-containing BP (N-BP), alendronate (ALN), for a short period of time increased bone tissue in a rat tooth replantation model. Here, we investigated cellular mechanisms of bone formation by ALN. Bone histomorphometry confirmed that bone formation was increased by local application of ALN. ALN increased proliferation of bone-forming cells residing on the bone surface, whereas it suppressed the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclastsin vivo. Moreover, ALN treatment induced more alkaline phosphatase-positive and osteocalcin-positive cells on the bone surface than PBS treatment.In vitrostudies revealed that pulse treatment with ALN promoted osteocalcin expression. To track the target cells of N-BPs, we applied fluorescence-labeled ALN (F-ALN)in vivoandin vitro. F-ALN was taken into bone-forming cells bothin vivoandin vitro. This intracellular uptake was inhibited by endocytosis inhibitors. Furthermore, the endocytosis inhibitor dansylcadaverine (DC) suppressed ALN-stimulated osteoblastic differentiationin vitroand it suppressed the increase in alkaline phosphatase-positive bone-forming cells and subsequent bone formationin vivo. DC also blocked the inhibition of Rap1A prenylation by ALN in the osteoblastic cells. These data suggest that local application of ALN promotes bone formation by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of bone-forming cells as well as inhibiting osteoclast function. These effects may occur through endocytic incorporation of ALN and subsequent inhibition of protein prenylation.

Immune rejection may limit the therapeutic use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); here, terminally differentiated mouse iPSCs are shown to generate negligible immune rejection in their host. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient's own somatic cells could have great therapeutic potential. The hope is that iPSC-derived differentiated cells would avoid any immunogenic responses. In this study, Masumi Abe and colleagues assess the immunogenicity of skin and bone marrow tissues derived from a large set of isogenic mouse embryonic stem cell and iPSC lines. Their results are consistent with negligible immune rejection by the host. The advantages of using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) instead of embryonic stem (ES) cells in regenerative medicine centre around circumventing concerns about the ethics of using ES cells and the likelihood of immune rejection of ES-cell-derived tissues1,2. However, partial reprogramming and genetic instabilities in iPSCs3,4,5,6 could elicit immune responses in transplant recipients even when iPSC-derived differentiated cells are transplanted. iPSCs are first differentiated into specific types of cells in vitro for subsequent transplantation. Although model transplantation experiments have been conducted using various iPSC-derived differentiated tissues7,8,9,10 and immune rejections have not been observed, careful investigation of the immunogenicity of iPSC-derived tissue is becoming increasingly critical, especially as this has not been the focus of most studies done so far. A recent study reported immunogenicity of iPSC- but not ES-cell-derived teratomas11 and implicated several causative genes. Nevertheless, some controversy has arisen regarding these findings12. Here we examine the immunogenicity of differentiated skin and bone marrow tissues derived from mouse iPSCs. To ensure optimal comparison of iPSCs and ES cells, we established ten integration-free iPSC and seven ES-cell lines using an inbred mouse strain, C57BL/6. We observed no differences in the rate of success of transplantation when skin and bone marrow cells derived from iPSCs were compared with ES-cell-derived tissues. Moreover, we observed limited or no immune responses, including T-cell infiltration, for tissues derived from either iPSCs or ES cells, and no increase in the expression of the immunogenicity-causing Zg16 and Hormad1 genes in regressing skin and teratoma tissues. Our findings suggest limited immunogenicity of transplanted cells differentiated from iPSCs and ES cells.

Gene transduction of exogenous factors at local sites in vivo is a promising approach to promote regeneration of tissue defects owing to its simplicity and capacity for expression of a variety of genes. Gene transduction by viral vectors is highly efficient; however, there are safety concerns associated with viruses. As a method for nonviral gene transduction, plasmid DNA delivery is safer and simpler, but requires an efficient carrier substance. Here, we aimed to develop a simple, efficient method for bone regeneration by gene transduction and to identify optimal conditions for plasmid DNA delivery at bone defect sites. We focused on carrier substances and compared the efficiencies of two collagen derivatives, atelocollagen, and gelatin hydrogel, as substrates for plasmid DNA delivery in vivo. To assess the efficiencies of these substrates, we examined exogenous expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) by fluorescence microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. GFP expression at the bone defect site was higher when gelatin hydrogel was used as a substrate to deliver plasmids than when atelocollagen was used. Moreover, the gelatin hydrogel was almost completely absorbed at the defect site, whereas some atelocollagen remained. When a plasmid harboring bone morphogenic protein 2 was delivered with the substrate to bony defect sites, more new bone formation was observed in the gelatin group than in the atelocollagen group. These results suggested that the gelatin hydrogel was more efficient than atelocollagen as a substrate for local gene delivery and may be a superior material for induction of bone regeneration.

Bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) are multifunctional growth factors and members of the TGF-β superfamily. They were identified based on their ability to initiate ectopic bone formation in non-skeletal tissue. To date, over 20 BMP family members have been identified and characterized as locally acting signal molecules. They function in development, differentiation, and disease in various tissues and species. BMP bind to type I and typeII serine/threonine kinase BMP receptors, which phosphorylate intracellular Smad proteins. This triggers their translocation to the nucleus, where they activate the transcription of target genes. There are many BMP modulators which function at multiple levels : extracellular, membranous, and intracellular. Extracellular BMP modulators contain a cysteine-rich (CR) domain characterized by a conserved structural motif known as a cystine knot. They are classified according to the number of amino acids contained in the cystine-knot ring; the three classes include the eight-, nine-, and ten-membered ring cystine knots. The proteins bind to various BMP ligands, block ligand-receptor binding, and inhibit BMP signaling. They also function as BMP activators in certain cellular and developmental contexts. The outcome of BMP regulatory function may differ depending on the differential binding capacities, temporal and spatial localization, and complexity of differential partnerships of BMP modulators. This review focuses on the versatile functions of the extracellular BMP modulators, particularly the CR domain-containing BMP-binding proteins in skeletal tissue.

Genetic and cell biological studies have indicated that Indian hedgehog (Ihh) plays an important role in bone development and osteoblast differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism by which Ihh regulates osteoblast differentiation is complex and remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of Ihh signaling in osteoblast differentiation using mesenchymal cells and primary osteoblasts. We observed that Ihh stimulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin expression, and calcification. Overexpression of Gli2- but not Gli3-induced ALP, osteocalcin expression, and calcification of these cells. In contrast, dominant-negative Gli2 markedly inhibited Ihh-dependent osteoblast differentiation. Ihh treatment or Gli2 overexpression also up-regulated the expression of Runx2, an essential transcription factor for osteoblastogenesis, and enhanced the transcriptional activity and osteogenic action of Runx2. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated a physical interaction between Gli2 and Runx2. Moreover, Ihh or Gli2 overexpression failed to increase ALP activity in Runx2-deficient mesenchymal cells. Collectively, these results suggest that Ihh regulates osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal cells through up-regulation of the expression and function of Runx2 by Gli2.

Axial patterning in embryonic skeletogenesis associates with coordinated programming of somitogenesis and angiogenesis. As seen in endochondral bone formation, skeletogenesis is closely related to angiogenesis during development. PlexinD1 is a member of plexin family, is expressed in central nervous system and endothelium, and plays a role in blood vessel patterning and endothelium positioning during embryonic development. Here, we examined the effects of PlexinD1 deficiency on skeletogenesis. Three-dimensional micro CT examination revealed that PlexinD1 deficiency resulted in axial skeletal patterning defects including malformation in vertebral body and rib bone shape. Histological examination of the vertebral bodies and long bones showed that PlexinD1 deficiency altered the development of cartilage. PlexinD1 deficiency did not affect the levels of von Willebrand factor staining in relatively large vessels not attached but close to the vertebral body of mice. However, PlexinD1 deficiency reduced the von Willebrand factor (vWf) staining in most of the microvasculatures attached to the vertebral bone. PlexinD1 was expressed in osteoblastic cells and bone tissues of newborn and adult mice. As most of the homozygous knockout mice did not survive, we examined the role of PlexinD1 in bone formation in heterozygous adult mice subjected to bone marrow ablation. However, PlexinD1 heterozygous knockout did not reveal defects in new bone formation. In conclusion, PlexinD1 is involved in the patterning of axial skeletogenesis.

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive disorder and is classified as one of the ciliopathy. The patients manifest a characteristic craniofacial dysmorphology but the effects of Bbs3 deficiency in the developmental process during the craniofacial pathogenesis are still incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed a cranial development of a BBS model Bbs3-/- mouse. It was previously reported that these mutant mice exhibit a dome-shape cranium. We show that Bbs3-/- mouse embryos present mid-facial hypoplasia and solitary central upper incisor. Morphologically, these mutant mice show synchondrosis of the cranial base midline due to the failure to fuse in association with loss of intrasphenoidal synchondrosis. The cranial base was laterally expanded and longitudinally shortened. In the developing cartilaginous primordium of cranial base, cells present in the midline were less in Bbs3-/- embryos. Expression of BBS3 was observed specifically in a cell population lying between condensed ectomesenchyme in the midline and the ventral midbrain at this stage. Finally, siRNA-based knockdown of Bbs3 in ATDC5 cells impaired migration in culture. Our data suggest that BBS3 is required for the development of cranial base via regulation of cell migration toward the midline where they promote the condensation of ectomesenchyme and form the future cartilaginous templates of cranial base.

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent diseases and the number of patients suffering from this disease is soaring due to the increase in the aged population in the world. The severity of bone loss in osteoporosis is based on the levels of impairment in the balance between bone formation and bone resorption, two arms of the bone metabolism, and bone remodeling. However, determination of bone formation levels is under many layers of control that are as yet fully defined. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays a key role in regulation of bone formation while its downstream targets are still incompletely understood. Lgr4 gene encodes an orphan receptor and has been identified as a genetic determinant for bone mass in osteoporotic patients. Here, we examine the effects of BMP on the expression of Lgr4 in osteoblastic cells. Lgr4 gene is expressed in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1 in a time dependent manner during the culture. BMP treatment enhances Lgr4 mRNA expression at least in part via transcriptional event. When Lgr4 mRNA is knocked down, the levels of BMP-induced increase in alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity and Alp mRNA are suppressed. BMP enhancement of Lgr4 gene expression is suppressed by FGF and reversed by dexamethasone. BMP also enhances Lgr4 expression in primary cultures of calvarial osteoblasts. These data indicate that Lgr4 gene is regulated by BMP and is required for BMP effects on osteoblastic differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 887-895, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objective: Apoptosis of chondrocytes in articular cartilage has been observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, molecules involved in such chondrocyte apoptosis in arthritic joints have not been fully understood. We previously observed that apoptosis of chondrocytes is enhanced in a murine arthritis model induced by injection with anti–type II collagen antibodies and lipopolysaccharide (mAbs/LPS), and osteopontin (OPN) deficiency suppresses chondrocyte apoptosis in this arthritis model in vivo. To understand how OPN deficiency renders resistance against chondrocyte apoptosis, we examined the cellular basis for this protection. Design: Chondrocytes were prepared from wild-type and OPN-deficient mouse ribs, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α–induced cell death was examined based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and TUNEL assay. Results: TNF-α treatment induced LDH release in wild-type chondrocytes, while OPN deficiency suppressed such LDH release in the cultures of these cells. TNF-α–induced increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells was observed in wild-type chondrocytes, while OPN deficiency in chondrocytes suppressed the TNF-α induction of TUNEL-positive cells. OPN deficiency suppressed TNF-α–induced increase in caspase-3 activity in chondrocytes in culture. Furthermore, OPN overexpression in chondrocytes enhanced TNF-α–induced apoptosis. Conclusion: These results indicated that the presence of OPN in chondrocytes is involved in the susceptibility of these cells to TNF-α–induced apoptosis.

Phosphate (Pi) plays a critical role in the maintenance of mineralized tissues and signaling in the intracellular environment. Although extracellular phosphate concentration is maintained at fixed levels, physiological machineries involved in phosphate homeostasis in bone, which is the largest phosphate storage site, have not yet been fully elucidated. Here we examined the role of osteopontin (OPN) in a high-Pi diet load-induced bone loss. A high-Pi diet significantly reduced bone mineral density as well as bone mass in wild type. In contrast, OPN deficiency totally prevented reduction in bone mineral density and bone mass. Analyses of bone turnover-related components revealed that bone formation parameters (bone formation rate and mineral apposition rate) were enhanced by high-Pi diet load similarly in wild-type and OPN-deficient mice. In sharp contrast, bone resorption parameters (osteoclast number and osteoclast surface) were enhanced by high-Pi diet load in wild type but not at all in OPN-deficient mice. Bone marrow cell cultures revealed no major effects of OPN deficiency on high-Pi diet modulation of mineralized nodule formation in culture. On the other hand, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cell development in cultures were enhanced by high-Pi diet load in wild-type cells, but such effects of high Pi-diet were totally abolished in the absence of OPN. These data indicated that OPN is needed for osteoclastic activity to resorb bone on high phosphate loading.

Loss of mechanical stress causes bone loss. However, the mechanisms underlying the unloading-induced bone loss are largely unknown. Here, we examined the effects of gold-thioglucose (GTG) treatment, which destroys ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), on unloading-induced bone loss. Unloading reduced bone volume in control (saline-treated) mice. Treatment with GTG-reduced bone mass and in these GTG-treated mice, unloading-induced reduction in bone mass levels was not observed. Unloading reduced the levels of bone formation rate (BFR) and mineral apposition rate (MAR). GTG treatment also reduced these parameters and under this condition, unloading did not further reduce the levels of BFR and MAR. Unloading increased the levels of osteoclast number (Oc.N/BS) and osteoclast surface (Oc.S/BS). GTG treatment did not alter the basal levels of these bone resorption parameters. In contrast to control, GTG treatment suppressed unloading-induced increase in the levels of Oc.N/BS and Oc.S/BS. Unloading reduced the levels of mRNA expression of the genes encoding osteocalcin, type I collagen and Cbfa1 in bone. In contrast, GTG treatment suppressed such unloading-induced reduction of mRNA expression. Unloading also enhanced the levels of fat mass in bone marrow and mRNA expression of the genes encoding PPARgamma2, C/EBPalpha, and C/EBPbeta in bone. In GTG-treated mice, unloading did not increase fat mass and the levels of fat-related mRNA expression. These results indicated that GTG treatment suppressed unloading-induced alteration in bone loss.

Osteoporosis is a major health problem; however, the mechanisms regulating adult bone mass are poorly understood. Cas-interacting zinc finger protein (CIZ) is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that localizes at cell adhesion plaques that form where osteoblasts attach to substrate. To investigate the potential role of CIZ in regulating adult bone mass, we examined the bones in CIZ-deficient mice. Bone volume was increased and the rates of bone formation were increased in CIZ-deficient mice, whereas bone resorption was not altered. CIZ deficiency enhanced the levels of mRNA expression of genes encoding proteins related to osteoblastic phenotypes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as osterix mRNA expression in whole long bones. Bone marrow cells obtained from the femora of CIZ-deficient mice revealed higher ALP activity in culture and formed more mineralized nodules than wild-type cells. CIZ deficiency enhanced bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)–induced osteoblastic differentiation in bone marrow cells in cultures, indicating that BMP is the target of CIZ action. CIZ deficiency increased newly formed bone mass after femoral bone marrow ablation in vivo. Finally, BMP-2–induced bone formation on adult mouse calvariae in vivo was enhanced by CIZ deficiency. These results establish that CIZ suppresses the levels of adult bone mass through inhibition of BMP-induced activation of osteoblasts.

Sclerostin (SOST), a member of the cystine-knot superfamily, is essential for proper skeletogenesis because a loss-of-function mutation in the SOST gene results in sclerosteosis featured with massive bone growth in humans. To understand the function of SOST in developmental skeletal tissue formation, we examined SOST gene expression in embryonic osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo. During osteoblastic differentiation in primary calvarial cells, the levels of SOST expression were increased along with those of alkaline phosphatase activity and nodule formation. In situ hybridization study revealed that SOST mRNA expression was observed in the digits in embryonic 13-d limb buds, and SOST expression was observed in osteogenic front in embryonic 16.5-d postcoitus embryonic calvariae, and this expression persisted in the peripheral area of cranial bone in the later developmental stage (embryonic 18.5-d post coitum). These temporal and spacial expression patterns in vivo and in vitro were in parallel to those of osterix (Osx), which is a critical transcriptional factor for bone formation. Similar coexpression of SOST and Osx mRNA was observed when the primary osteoblastic calvarial cells were cultured in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 in vitro. Moreover, endogenous expression of SOST and Osx mRNA was inhibited by infection of noggin-expression adenovirus into the primary osteoblastic calvarial cells, suggesting that endogenous BMPs are required for these cells to express SOST and Osx mRNA. Thus, expression and regulation of SOST under the control of BMP were closely associated with those of Osx in vivo and in vitro.

Osteoblasts and chondroblasts are derived from common mesenchymal progenitors. Although bone morphogenetic protein induces mesenchymal differentiation into both osteogenic and chodrogenic lineage cells in vitro, its inhibitor, Noggin, is expressed exclusively during chondrogenic but not osteogenic differentiation in an embryonal carcinoma-derived mesodermal cell line, C1. We hypothesized that Noggin may regulate cell differentiation in a lineage-specific manner. To test this hypothesis, Noggin was overexpressed using recombinant adenovirus (Ad/Noggin) in mesodermal C1 cells to examine whether Noggin specifically inhibits chondrogenic differentiation. Noggin overexpression by recombinant adenovirus infection reduced Sox9, patched, Ihh, and type II, X, and XI collagen mRNA expression levels in C1 cell aggregates that were induced to differentiate into chondrocyte lineage by culturing in differentiation medium. In contrast, Noggin overexpression did not affect osteogenic differentiation in C1 cells because osteoblast phenotypic markers such as osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase mRNA levels were not altered. We further examined whether Noggin also differentially affects chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in limb development by using organ cultures of long bone. Ad/Noggin infection into 15.5 d post conception limb skeletal rudiments that were cultured on filter membrane in vitro or on the chorioallantoic membranes in ovo inhibited the levels of chondrogenesis, which were evaluated based on alcian blue staining. These results suggest that Noggin specifically blocks chondrogenic differentiation, rather than osteogenic differentiation, in mesodermal stem cell line C1 and skeletal cells.

Tob (transducer of erbB2) is a member of antiproliferative family proteins and acts as a bone morphogenic protein inhibitor as well as a suppressor of proliferation in T cells, which have been implicated in postmenopausal bone loss. To determine the effect of Tob deficiency on estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss, we analyzed bone metabolism after ovariectomy or sham operation in Tob-deficient mice. Ovariectomy in WT mice decreased trabecular bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD) as expected. In Tob-deficient mice, ovariectomy reduced bone volume and BMD. However, even after ovariectomy, both trabecular bone volume and BMD levels in Tob-deficient bone were comparable to those in sham-operated WT bones. Bone formation parameters (mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate) in the ovariectomized Tob-deficient mice were significantly higher than those in the ovariectomized WT mice. In contrast, the ovariectomy-induced increase in the bone resorption parameters, osteoclast surface, and osteoclast number was similar between Tob-deficient mice and WT mice. Furthermore, in ex vivo nodule formation assay, ovariectomy-induced enhancement of nodule formation was significantly higher in the bone marrow cells from Tob-deficient mice than in the bone marrow cells from ovariectomized WT mice. Both Tob and estrogen signalings converge at bone morphogenic protein activation of alkaline phosphatase and GCCG-reporter gene expression in osteoblasts, revealing interaction between the two signals. These data indicate that Tob deficiency prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss through the superenhancement of osteoblastic activities in bone and that this results in further augmentation in the bone formation rate and the mineral apposition rate after ovariectomy in vivo .

Bone formation is under the control of a set of transcription factors. Ids are inhibitory helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors and expression of Id genes in osteoblasts is under the control of calciotropic agents such as BMP and vitamin D. However, the function of Ids during bone formation in vivo has not yet been elucidated. We, therefore, examined the role of Id1 and Id3 in the regulation of bone metabolism in vivo. Using wild type and Id1/Id3 heterozygous knockout mice, we analyzed calvarial bone formation in the suture by X-ray picture, proliferation, and mineralization activities of primary calvarial osteoblasts by MTT assay and alizarin red staining and onthotopic in vivo bone formation by BMP injection onto calvaria and micro CT analysis. The width of calvarial sutures was reduced by more than 50% in Id1/Id3 heterozygous knock out mice. Analyses on the cellular basis for the mechanism underlying the defects in the mutant mice revealed suppression of proliferation and mineralization in osteoblasts derived from Id1/Id3 heterozygous knock out mice. Furthermore, Id1/Id3 heterozygous knock out mice suppressed BMP-induced bone formation in vivo. These results indicated that Id1 and Id3 are positive factors to promote bone formation in vivo.

Development of the musculoskeletal system requires coordinated formation of distinct types of tissues, including bone, cartilage, muscle, and tendon. Compared to muscle, cartilage, and bone, cellular and molecular bases of tendon development have not been well understood due to the lack of tendon cell lines. The purpose of this study was to establish and characterize tendon cell lines. Three clonal tendon cell lines (TT-E4, TT-G11, and TT-D6) were established using transgenic mice harboring a temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40 large T antigen. Proliferation of these cells was significantly enhanced by treatment with bFGF and TGF-beta but not BMP2. Tendon phenotype-related genes such as those encoding scleraxis, Six1, EphA4, COMP, and type I collagen were expressed in these tendon cell clones. In addition to tendon phenotype-related genes, expression of osteopontin and Cbfal was observed. These clonal cell lines formed hard fibrous connective tissue when implanted onto chorioallantoic membrane in ovo. Furthermore, these cells also formed tendon-like tissues when they were implanted into defects made in patella tendon in mice. As these tendon cell lines also produced fibrocartilaginous tissues in tendon defect implantation experiments, mesenchymal stem cell properties were examined. Interestingly, these cells expressed genes related to osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages at low levels when examined by RT-PCR. TT-G11 and TT-E4 cells differentiated into either osteoblasts or adipocytes, respectively, when they were cultured in cognate differentiation medium. These observations indicated that the established tendon cell line possesses mesenchymal stem cell-like properties, suggesting the existence of mesenchymal stem cell in tendon tissue.

Intermittent PTH treatment increases cancellous bone mass in osteoporosis patients; however, it reveals diverse effects on cortical bone mass. Underlying molecular mechanisms for anabolic PTH actions are largely unknown. Because PTH regulates expression of osteopontin (OPN) in osteoblasts, OPN could be one of the targets of PTH in bone. Therefore, we examined the role of OPN in the PTH actions in bone. Intermittent PTH treatment neither altered whole long-bone bone mineral density nor changed cortical bone mass in wild-type 129 mice, although it enhanced cancellous bone volume as reported previously. In contrast, OPN deficiency induced PTH enhancement of whole-bone bone mineral density as well as cortical bone mass. Strikingly, although PTH suppressed periosteal bone formation rate (BFR) and mineral apposition rate (MAR) in cortical bone in wild type, OPN deficiency induced PTH activation of periosteal BFR and MAR. In cancellous bone, OPN deficiency further enhanced PTH increase in BFR and MAR. Analysis on the cellular bases for these phenomena indicated that OPN deficiency augmented PTH enhancement in the increase in mineralized nodule formation in vitro. OPN deficiency did not alter the levels of PTH enhancement of the excretion of deoxypyridinoline in urine, the osteoclast number in vivo, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cell development in vitro. These observations indicated that OPN deficiency specifically induces PTH activation of periosteal bone formation in the cortical bone envelope.

Osterix is a recently identified zinc-finger-containing transcription factor, which is required for skeletogenesis as no bone formation was observed in osterix-deficient mice. Osterix was first cloned as a gene whose expression was enhanced by BMP in C2C12 cells. As BMP induces ectopic bone formation in vivo via a pathway reminiscent to endochondral bone formation, BMP may also regulate osterix gene expression in chondrocytes. However, no information was available regarding the BMP actions on osterix gene expression in chondrocytes. We therefore examined the effects of BMP-2 on osterix gene expression in chondrocytes in culture. RT-PCR analysis indicated that osterix mRNA was expressed in the primary cultures of chondrocytes derived from mouse rib cartilage. The treatment with BMP-2 enhanced the levels of osterix transcripts within 24 h and the enhancement was still observed at 48 h based on RT-PCR analysis. This BMP effect was specific to this cytokine, as TGF-β did not alter osterix gene expression. BMP effects on the osterix mRNA levels were also confirmed by Northern blot analysis. The enhancing effect of BMP on osterix gene expression was observed in a dose-dependent manner starting at 200 ng/ml. The BMP enhancement of the osterix gene expression in chondrocytes was blocked in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, while it was still observed in the presence of 5,6-dichloro-1-β D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazol (DRB) suggesting the involvement of post-transcriptional events, which require new protein synthesis. These results indicated that osterix gene is expressed in the primary cultures of chondrocytes and its expression is under the control of BMP-2. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 1077–1083, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Klotho mutant (kl/kl) mice exhibit growth retardation after weaning, and previous electron microscopic examination of GH-producing cells in pituitary glands revealed a reduction in GH granules. However, it has not been known whether growth retardation in klotho mutant mice is related to the loss of GH function. We therefore examined whether treatment with GH could rescue the retardation of growth. At the end of 3 weeks of treatment with human GH, the body weight of wild-type (WT) mice was increased. In contrast, body weight was not increased in klotho mutant mice even after the treatment with human GH. Another feature of klotho mutant mice is the presence of osteopetrosis in the epiphyses of long bones and vertebrae. Treatment with human GH increased trabecular bone volume in the epiphyseal region of WT tibiae. Interestingly, increase in trabecular bone volume by GH treatment was also observed in klotho mutant mice and, therefore, the phenotype of high bone volume in the klotho mice was further enhanced. These findings indicate that a GH receptor system in cancellous bones could operate in mutant mice. Thus, growth retardation in the klotho mutant mice is resistant against GH treatment even when these mice respond to GH treatment in terms of cancellous bone volume.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling regulates body axis determination, apoptosis, and differentiation of various types of cells including neuron, gut, and bone cells. However, the molecules involved in such BMP regulation of biological events have not been fully understood. Here, we examined the involvement of Cas-interacting zinc finger protein (CIZ) in the modulation of BMP2-induced osteoblastic cell differentiation. CIZ overexpression in osteoblastic MC3T3E1 cells suppressed BMP2-enhanced expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and type I collagen genes. Upstream analyses revealed that CIZ overexpression also suppressed BMP2-induced enhancement of the mRNA expression of Cbfa1, which is a critical transcription factor for osteoblastic differentiation. BMP-induced Smad1 and Smad5 activation of GCCG-mediated transcription was blocked in the presence of CIZ overexpression. CIZ overexpression alone in the absence of BMP2 moderately enhanced basal levels of Cbfa1 mRNA expression. CIZ overexpression also enhanced 1.8-kb Cbfa1 promoter activity in the absence of BMP2, whereas it suppressed the promoter activity in the presence of BMP2. Finally, CIZ overexpression suppressed the formation of mineralized nodules in osteoblastic cell cultures. These data indicate that CIZ is a novel type inhibitor of BMP/Smad signaling.

Embryonic development of tendons is in close association with that of cartilage and bone. Although these tissues are derived from mesenchymal progenitor cells which also give rise to muscle and fat, their fates clearly diverse in early embryonic stages, Transcription factors may play pivotal roles in the process of determination and differentiation of tendon cells as well as other cells in the skeletal system. Scleraxis, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) type transcription factor. is expressed in mesenchymal progenitors that later form connective tissues including tendons. Sox9 is an HMG-box containing transcription factor, which is expressed at high levels in chondrocytes. We hypothesized that the two transcription factors regulate the fate of cells that interact with each other at the interface between the two tissues during divergence of their differentiation pathways, To address this point, we investigated scleraxis and Sox9 rnRNA expression during mouse embyogenesis focusing on the coordinated development of tendons and skeletons, In the early stage of mesenchymal tissue development at 10.5 d.p.c., scleraxis and Sox9 transcripts were expressed in the mesenchymal progenitor cells in the appendicular and axial mesenchyme. At 11.5 d.p.c.. scleraxis transcripts were observed in the mesenchymal tissue surrounding skeletal primordia which express Sox9. From this stage, scleraxis expression was closely associated with, but distinct from, formation of skeletal primordia, At 13.5 d.p.c., scleraxis was expressed broadly in the interface between muscle and skeletal primordia while Sox9 expression is confined within the early skeletal primordia. Then. at 15.5 d.p.c., scleraxis transcripts were more restricted to tendons. These observations revealed the presence of temporal and spatial association of scleraxis expression during embryonic development of tendon precursor cells in close association with that of So,0 expression in chondrogenic cells in skeletal tissues. (C) 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tob is a recently reported novel bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor, which originally was identified by West-Western procedure using ErbB2 as a probe and contains a nuclear localization signal. To further characterize the effects of Tob deficiency on BMP-induced new bone (NB) formation, we examined microcomputed tomography (microCT) on the cross-section of the bone induced by daily injection with BMP onto the calvariae of newborn mice. The calvariae of the saline-injected Tob-deficient (TD) mice were similar to those of the saline-injected or untreated wild-type (WT) mice. BMP injection locally produced NB on the calvaria in WT mice as known previously. In contrast to WT mice, BMP injection onto the calvariae of TD mice produced a calcified area in the cross-section of NB, which was more than that produced by BMP in the WT calvariae. In addition, the horizontal width and the vertical height of the NB induced by BMP in TD mice were several-fold more than those in WT mice. The effect of Tob deficiency on bone-forming activity was selective to the response to the injection with BMP because the levels of injury-induced NB formation examined by microCT 10 days after bone marrow ablation in the femora were similar between the TD and WT mice. These data indicate that Tob acts as a novel specific antagonist against bone formation induced by BMP treatment in bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most critical diseases that impair the quality of life of patients, but its pathogenesis has not yet been fully understood. Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, which interacts with αvβ3 integrins, promotes cell attachment, and cell migration and is expressed in both synovial cells and chondrocytes in rheumatoid arthritis; however, its functional relationship to arthritis has not been known. Therefore, we investigated the roles of OPN in the pathogenesis of inflammatory process in a rheumatoid arthritis model induced by a mixture of anti-type II collagen mAbs and lipopolysaccharide (mAbs/LPS). mAbs/LPS injection induced OPN expression in synovia as well as cartilage, and this expression was associated with joint swelling, destruction of the surface structures of the joint based on scanning electron microscopy, and loss of toluidine blue-positive proteoglycan content in the articular cartilage in wild-type mice. In contrast, OPN deficiency prevented the mice from such surface destruction, loss of proteoglycan in the articular joint cartilage, and swelling of the joints even when the mice were subjected to mAbs/LPS injection. Furthermore, mAbs/LPS injection in wild-type mice enhanced the levels of CD31-positive vessels in synovia and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling-positive chondrocytes in the articular cartilage, whereas such angiogenesis as well as chondrocyte apoptosis was suppressed significantly in OPN-deficient mice. These results indicated that OPN plays a critical role in the destruction of joint cartilage in the rheumatoid arthritis model in mice via promotion of angiogenesis and induction of chondrocyte apoptosis.

Recent development in three-dimensional (3D) imaging of cancellous bone has made possible true 3D quantification of trabecular architecture. This provides a significant improvement in the measures available to study and understand the mechanical functions of cancellous bone. We recently reported that the presence of osteopontin (OPN) was required for the effects of mechanical stress on bone as OPN-null (OPN-/-) mice showed neither enhancement of bone resorption nor suppression of bone formation when they were subjected to unloading by tail suspension. However, in this previous study, morphological analyses were limited to two-dimensional (2D) evaluation. Although bone structure is 3D and thus stress effect should be evaluated based on 3D parameters, no such 3D morphological features underlying the phenomenon have been known. To elucidate the role of OPN in mediating mechanical stress effect based on true quantitative examination of bone, we evaluated 3D trabecular structures of hindlimb bones of OPN-/- mice after tail suspension. Tail suspension significantly reduced 3D parameters of bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and anisotropy and increased 3D parameters on trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in wild-type mice. In contrast, these 3D parameters were not altered after tail suspension in OPN-/- mice. These data provided evidence that OPN is required for unloading-induced 3D bone loss.

Osteopontin is an RGDS-containing protein that acts as a ligand for the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, which is abundantly expressed in osteoclasts, cells responsible for bone resorption in osteopenic diseases such as osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism. However, the role of osteopontin in the process of bone resorption has not yet been fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the direct function of osteopontin in bone resorption using an organ culture system. The amount of (45)Ca released from the osteopontin-deficient bones was not significantly different from the basal release from wild type bones. However, in contrast to the parathyroid hormone (PTH) enhancement of the (45)Ca release from wild type bones, PTH had no effect on (45)Ca release from organ cultures of osteopontin-deficient bones. Because PTH is located upstream of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), that directly promotes bone resorption, we also examined the effect of RANKL. Soluble RANKL with macrophage-colony stimulating factor enhanced (45)Ca release from the bones of wild type fetal mice but not from the bones of osteopontin-deficient mice. To obtain insight into the cellular mechanism underlying the phenomena observed in osteopontin-deficient bone, we investigated the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in the bones subjected to PTH treatment in cultures. The number of TRAP-positive cells was increased significantly by PTH in wild type bone; however, no such PTH-induced increase in TRAP-positive cells was observed in osteopontin-deficient bones. These results indicate that the absence of osteopontin suppressed PTH-induced increase in bone resorption via preventing the increase in the number of osteoclasts in the local milieu of bone.

Osteoclastic bone resorption requires a number of complex steps that are under the control of local regulatory molecules. Osteopontin is expressed in osteoclasts and is also present in bone matrix; however, its biological function has not been fully understood. To elucidate the role of osteopontin in the process of osteoclastic bone resorption, we conducted ectopic bone implantation experiments using wild-type and osteopontin knockout mouse. In the wild-type group, bone discs from calvariae implanted ectopically in muscle were resorbed, and their mass was reduced by 25% within 4 weeks. In contrast, the mass of the bone discs from calvariae of osteopontin knockout mice was reduced by only 5% when implanted in osteopontin knockout mice. Histological analyses indicated that the number of osteoclasts associated with the implanted bones was reduced in the osteopontin knockout mice. As osteopontin deficiency does not suppress osteoclastogenesis per se, we further examined vascularization immunohistologically and found that the number of vessels containing CD31-positive endothelial cells around the bone discs implanted in muscle was reduced in the osteopontin knockout mice. Furthermore, sc implantation assays indicated that the length and branching points of the newly formed vasculatures associated with the bone discs were also reduced in the absence of osteopontin. In this assay, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive area of the bone discs was also reduced in the osteopontin knockout mice, indicating further the link between the osteopontin-dependent vascularization and osteoclast accumulation. The bone resorption defect could be rescued by topical administration of recombinant osteopontin to the bones implanted in muscle. These observations indicate that osteopontin is required for efficient vascularization by the hemangiogenic endothelial cells and subsequent osteoclastic resorption of bones.

Reduced mechanical stress to bone in bedridden patients and astronauts leads to bone loss and increase in fracture risk which is one of the major medical and health issues in modern aging society and space medicine. However, no molecule involved in the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon has been identified to date. Osteopontin (OPN) is one of the major noncollagenous proteins in bone matrix, but its function in mediating physical-force effects on bone in vivo has not been known. To investigate the possible requirement for OPN in the transduction of mechanical signaling in bone metabolism in vivo, we examined the effect of unloading on the bones of OPN−/− mice using a tail suspension model. In contrast to the tail suspension–induced bone loss in wild-type mice, OPN−/− mice did not lose bone. Elevation of urinary deoxypyridinoline levels due to unloading was observed in wild-type but not in OPN−/− mice. Analysis of the mechanisms of OPN deficiency–dependent reduction in bone on the cellular basis resulted in two unexpected findings. First, osteoclasts, which were increased by unloading in wild-type mice, were not increased by tail suspension in OPN−/− mice. Second, measures of osteoblastic bone formation, which were decreased in wild-type mice by unloading, were not altered in OPN−/− mice. These observations indicate that the presence of OPN is a prerequisite for the activation of osteoclastic bone resorption and for the reduction in osteoblastic bone formation in unloaded mice. Thus, OPN is a molecule required for the bone loss induced by mechanical stress that regulates the functions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

SOX9 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in chondrogenesis. Aggrecan is one of the major structural components in cartilage; however, the molecular mechanism of aggrecan gene regulation has not yet been fully elucidated. TC6 is a clonal chondrocytic cell line derived from articular cartilage. The purpose of this study was to examine whether SOX9 modulates aggrecan gene expression and to further identify molecules that regulate Sox9 expression in TC6 cells. SOX9 overexpression in TC6 cells enhanced by approximately 3-fold the transcriptional activity of the AgCAT-8 construct containing 8-kilobase (kb) promoter/first exon/first intron fragments of the aggrecan gene. SOX9 enhancement of aggrecan promoter activity was lost when we deleted a 4.5-kb fragment from the 3'-end of the 8-kb fragment corresponding to the region including the first intron. In TC6 cells, SOX9 enhanced the transcriptional activity of a reporter construct containing the Sry/Sox consensus sequence >10-fold. SOX9 enhancement of aggrecan gene promoter activity and SOX9 transactivation through the Sry/Sox consensus sequence were not observed in osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells (ROS17/2.8), indicating the dependence on the cellular background. Northern blot analysis indicated that TC6 cells constitutively express Sox9 mRNA at relatively low levels. To examine regulation of Sox9 gene expression, we investigated the effects of calciotropic hormones and cytokines. Among these, retinoic acid (RA) specifically enhanced Sox9 mRNA expression in TC6 cells. The basal levels of Sox9 expression and its enhancement by RA were observed similarly at both permissive (33 degrees C) and nonpermissive (39 degrees C) temperatures. Furthermore, RA treatment enhanced the transcriptional activity of a reporter construct containing the Sry/Sox consensus sequence in TC6 cells. Moreover, RA treatment also enhanced the transcriptional activity of another reporter construct containing the enhancer region of the type II procollagen gene in TC6 cells. These observations indicate that SOX9 enhances aggrecan promoter activity and that its expression is up-regulated by RA in TC6 cells.

Coordinated regulation of the activities of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and its inhibitors is essential for skeletal development since loss-of-function experiments show that both BMPs and BMP inhibitory signals, such as noggin, are required to establish proper formation of skeletal tissues. In this paper, we asked how and when noggin would be functional to interact with BMPs during skeletogenesis in mammals. For this purpose, we first analyzed the spatial and temporal patterns of noggin, BMP-2, BMP-4, and BMP-7 expression during early skeletogenesis in mouse embryos. In situ hybridization study revealed that noggin expression was detected at a low level in limb mesenchyme, whereas BMP-7 was expressed at a high level throughout limb mesenchyme 10.5 days postcoitum (dpc) in mouse embryos. One day later, noggin mRNA was expressed at a high level in the prechondrogenic condensations in appendicular and axial skeletal primordia, where sox9 transcripts were also expressed. At this stage, noggin-expressing cells were surrounded by those expressing BMP-7. The chondrogenic cell condensation continued to express noggin transcripts in 12.5 dpc and 13.5 dpc embryos, and again the noggin-expressing cells within the cartilaginous tissue were surrounded by those expressing BMP-7. We further examined interaction of noggin and BMPs by using organ cultures of 11.5 dpc mouse forelimbs and found that implantation of carriers containing BMP-7 protein into the forelimb explants induced noggin expression in the limb mesenchyme. BMP-7 also induced type II collagen and sox9 mRNAs in the same cell population, indicating that noggin induction occurred in the chondrogenic precursor cells. BMP-7 effects on noggin expression were observed in a dose-dependent manner within a dose range of 10-100 ng/microliter. These results suggest that BMP-7 induced expression of noggin transcripts within skeletal cell condensation and that this noggin expression in turn could act antagonistically to attenuate BMP action in the early skeletogenesis.

Vitamin D promotes differentiation of cells either by simply enhancing phenotypic gene expression and/or by suppressing expression of inhibitors of differentiation. Previously, we reported that expression of a gene encoding Id1, a negative type helix-loop-helix transcription factor, was transcriptionally suppressed by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) (1). To identify the sequence required for the negative regulation by 1,25(OH)2D3, a 1.5-kilobase 5′-flanking region of murine Id1 gene was examined by transiently transfecting luciferase reporter constructs into ROS17/2.8 osteoblastic cells. The transcriptional activity of this construct was repressed by 10−8 m 1,25(OH)2D3. Deletion analysis revealed that a 57-base pair (bp) upstream response sequence (URS) (−1146/−1090) was required for the suppression by 1,25(OH)2D3. This sequence conferred negative responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D3 to a heterologous SV40 promoter. The 57-bp URS contained not only Egr-1 consensus sequence (2) but also four direct repeats of a heptamer sequence (C/A)CAGCCC. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay revealed that the 57-bp URS formed specific nuclear protein-DNA complexes, which were neither competed by previously known positive and negative vitamin D response elements nor supershifted by anti-vitamin D receptor antibody, suggesting the absence of vitamin D receptor in these complexes. These results indicate the involvement of the novel 57-bp sequence in the vitamin D suppression of Id1 gene transcription.

Cell differentiation is determined by a certain set of transcription factors such as MyoD in myogenesis. However, transcription factors that play a positive role in phenotypic gene expression in skeletal cells are largely unknown, except the recently identified CBFA1. Scleraxis is a helix-loop-helix-type transcription factor whose transcripts are expressed in sclerotome and in a certain set of skeletal cells; however, nothing is known about its function with regard to the regulation of cell function. To examine possible roles of scleraxis, we overexpressed scleraxis in osteoblastic ROS17/2.8 cells, which express low levels of scleraxis. Scleraxis overexpression enhanced expression of the aggrecan gene, which is not normally expressed at high levels in these osteoblastic cells. Overexpression of scleraxis also increased mRNA levels of type II collagen and osteopontin while suppressing expression of osteoblast phenotype-related genes encoding type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase. Transient transfection experiments indicated that scleraxis enhanced the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity of the reporter construct AgCAT-8, which contained an 8-kilobase pair (kb) fragment of the aggrecan gene including both the promoter and its first intron. Deletion analysis identified a 1-kb region that is responsive to scleraxis within the aggrecan gene. This region contains two adjacent E-box sequences. A 29-base pair DNA fragment (AgE) containing these E-box sequences bound to proteins in the ROS17/2.8 cell nuclear extracts as well as to in vitro translated scleraxis. This binding was competed with unlabeled AgE, but not with a mutated E-box DNA sequence (mAgE), indicating the specificity of the binding activity. The AgE binding activity in the ROS17/2.8 cell nuclear extracts was enhanced in the cells overexpressing scleraxis and was supershifted by the antiserum raised against scleraxis. Furthermore, AgE, but not mAgE, conferred responsiveness to scleraxis overexpression to a heterologous promoter. Finally, replacement mutation of the AgE sequence within the 2.5-kb AgCAT-1 construct significantly reduced its responsiveness to scleraxis. These results indicate that overexpression of a single helix-loop-helix-type transcription factor, scleraxis, enhances aggrecan gene expression via binding to the E-box-containing AgE sequence in ROS17/2.8 cells.

We examined the mRNA expression of scleraxis, a non-myogenic helix-loop-helix type transcription factor in C2C12 myogenic cells. Scleraxis mRNA has been shown to be expressed in sclerotome and perichondrium of the embryos. We found that C2C12 cells express 1.2 kb scleraxis mRNA constitutively. Since BMP was reported to induce ectopic bone formation when implanted in muscle, we examined the effects of BMP on scleraxis expression. Scleraxis mRNA expression in C2C12 cells was suppressed by the treatment with BMP2. This suppression was observed at 200 ng/ml but not at the lower concentrations. BMP2 treatment suppressed scleraxis mRNA level within 24 h and lasted at least up to 48 h. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay showed that the proteins in the crude nuclear extracts prepared from C2C12 cells bound to an Scx-E-box sequence, CATGTG, which is preferentially recognized by scleraxis. This binding was competed out by 100-fold molar excess of cold Scx-E-box sequence but not by the one with mutations in the E-box. This band was supershifted by the addition of antiserum raised against scleraxis. BMP2 treatment suppressed the Scx-E binding activity in C2C12 cells. This suppression of the Scx-E-box binding activity was in parallel to the BMP2 suppression of the transcriptional activity of the Scx-E-CAT reporter gene transfected into C2C12 cells. These data indicated that although the default pathway for C2C12 cells is to differentiate into muscle cells, these cells do express non-myogenic transcription factor, scleraxis, whose expression is suppressed by BMP2. J. Cell. Biochem. 67:66–74, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Axial skeletons such as vertebrae, ribs, and scapulae develop from the embryonic somitic mesoderm through interactions with neural tube/notochord and skin ectoderm. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) seem to play important roles in these tissue interactions; however, the relationship between BMP signaling and the early development of axial skeletons is poorly understood. In this report, we investigated possible roles of BMP signaling in axial skeletal formation. First, we describe the expression patterns of BMP4 and type I receptors for BMP during somitogenesis in chick embryos based on whole mount in situ hybridization. Next, the effects of BMP on axial skeletal morphogenesis were investigated by implantation of BMP proteins into the dorsal mesoderm at the time of somitogenesis. Transcripts for both BMP4 ligand and its receptors are expressed in the dorsal ectoderm and mesoderm. Implantation of BMP4 and BMP2 into the dorsal regions of embryos result in subsequent anomalies of vertebrae, ribs, and scapulae. The effects of BMP implantation on the skeleton are shown to be dependent upon the somitic stage. Vertebral anomalies are restricted to the dorsolateral elements of the vertebrae and specifically observed after BMP implantation into embryonic day 2 (E2) embryos, but not E3 embryos. These results indicate that implantation of BMP into the dorsal part of embryos where endogenous BMP ligand and BMP receptors are expressed perturbs BMP signaling and causes axial skeletal malformations. The findings presented here suggest that BMP signaling may be involved in the early developmental process of the axial skeleton.